Once derided as “Clinton’s Folly” for the Governor who lent his vision and political muscle to the project, the Erie Canal experienced unparalleled success almost overnight. When the federal government concluded that the project was too ambitious to undertake, the State of New York took on the task of carving 363 miles of canal through the wilderness with nothing but the muscle power of men and horses. The Printing Office of the Farmers' Museum, Cooperstown, NY.īegun in 1817 and opened in its entirety 1825, the Erie Canal is considered the engineering marvel of the 19th Century. The source image was Handset and Letterpress Printed at The original Illustration was taken from Graham's Magazine, 1828. The excitement of the past is alive and well. Today, the Canal has returned to its former glory and is filled with pleasure boats, fishermen and cyclists riding the former towpaths where mules once trod. Gambling and entertainment were frequent pastimes on the Canal and often, families would meet each year at the same locations to share stories and adventures. The father would serve as captain, while the mother cooked for the family and crew and the children, if old enough, would serve as "hoggees" and would walk alongside the mules to lead them along at a steady pace.įor those who traveled along the Canal in packet boats or passenger vessels, the Canal was an exciting place. For many, canal boats became floating houses, traveling from town to town. From its inception, the Erie Canal helped form a whole new culture revolving around canal life. As the population grew and the Canal prospered, it became not only a transportation waterway, but also a vacation area for the well-to-do.Īt one time, more than 50,000 people depended on the Erie Canal for their livelihood. Folklore, songs and speech lingo emerged from those individuals working along the Canal. Many immigrants worked long and hard on "Clinton’s Ditch" to create this magnificent waterway. The New York State Canal System is not only rich in history, but also culture.
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